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Outcomes of a Student Research Project on Circular Building Systems Focus on the Educational Aspect
dr. arch. Bart Janssensprof. dr. ir. Elke Knapen, arch. Peggy Winkels, prof. dr. ir. arch. Griet Verbeeck
Faculty of Architecture and Arts, Hasselt University, Belgium
Introduction
Context
Not an objectivebut a means
as part of managing a sustainable development
SUSTAINABILITYGUIDE.EU
Circularity in the building sector is high on
public & corporate agendas
Introduction
Problem statement
Producers of building materials and construction systems are rapidly taking thefirst steps and develop or redevelop products in view of the requirements forcircular building.
The risk is high that in the rush to quickly develop products, claims ofcircularity are made too easily.
As circular building will become key in the professional field, it is necessarythat architecture students are being prepared.
Flemish policy action: Green deal – Circular building
Introduction
Objective
study the potential for circular building of specific building systems by master students in architecture of the Faculty of Architecture and Arts of
Hasselt University.
Aims Educational: trigger and train students
• to become architect-designers with a strong focus on circularity• to conduct research in a collaborative and critical way
Research methodological• exploring possibilities for actively involving architecture students in
research on building-technical aspects (nexus education – research) Innovation & development
• building-technical niche development with a societal relevance, in thiscase building systems that enable circular building and enhance acircular economy model
Aim paper/presentation
present and discuss the concept of the student research
present tentative and illustrative outcomes of selected circular building systems
Concept of the research
Description of the assignment
Positioning within the curriculum / Fac-Ark
Education Research Seminar ‘Building Concept’ Mastersthesis Design & Build -studio
Research Arck Sustainability Research Team
Societal service Design & Build LAB
‘nexus’&
interaction
2 years of the seminar form a complementary journey
Year 1, the concept of circularity is explored through
EXPERIMENT
Year 2, focus is on a
REALITY CHECK
Every year combines design, hands-on activity and research
Concept of the research
The assignment as such
Description of the assignment REALITY CHECK
“in-situ testing and improving circular building systems for cavity walls”
• by the act of building• backed by an assessment with an existing framework of evaluation criteria for design for change
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6
Inner leaf Outer leaf
+
+
The assignment evolves from hands-on explorations, over analysis and assessment by desk-top research, to the formulation of improvements by design & build research.
Selected systems, composed cavity wall ensembles and set-up building experiment
System 1: Construclickhttp://www.facadeclick.be
System 2: Facadeclickhttp://www.facadeclick.be
System 3: Systimberhttps://www.systimber.com
System 4: Clickbrickhttp://www.daasbaksteen.com
System 5: Stekohttps://www.steko.ch
System 6: Facatilehttps://www.wienerberger.be
Results and discussion
Students’ perspective
Educational aspects
(Based on a self and peer assessment, including a personal reflection on the assignment)
Added value for the curriculum:
The in-depth focus on materials and construction methods, and having the time and space toexperiment with details of/for new ways of building with a strong societal relevance.
The set-up of the seminar, with its structure and balance between theory and practice, enabled to gain good insights in circular building.
Development of critical thinking skills, inter alia by including anassessment tool.
This assessment tool appeared to be both a blessing and a curse, as itwas found to be time consuming.
Results and discussion
Research methodological aspects in view of the nexus education – research
Tutors’ perspective
Labour intensive preparation (collaborations , hands-on activities, …) Hands-on approach was evaluated positive
Needs improvement: Aspect of working in a group Aspect of assessing in an objective way Aspect of encouraging/stimulating/feeding innovation by students
The nexus ‘research & education’ worked well Topic with a strong societal relevance Tangible research method (hands-on) Exposed outcomes (visibility) Use of an assessment tool so outcomes can be validated
(quantitative method is preferred)
Educational aspects
Results and discussion
Systems 3 & 4 – composition B
Niche development aspects
Systems 1 & 2 – composition A
a) wider grip surfaces of the spacer (with a1 the existing grip)
b) (b1 + b2) two anchoring solutions for cavity anchorsc) metal plate for a circular connection with the
foundationd) a screw head of the cavity anchors
a) a mounting lath for a circular connection with the foundation
b) a connecting block to fix the watertight slab between foundation and inner wall
c) an alternative cavity anchor; with c1 the existing cavity anchor, and c2 an alternative cavity anchor
Conclusion
Based on reflections of both students and tutors, it can be concluded that the concept of the nexus education -research was successful and only needs minor revisions.
Perspectives for future editions of similar student research: complementing the assignment with a real-life full design/build project including a team building activity in order to improve the aspect of working in a group using tailored pedagogical methods to encourage/stimulate/feed innovation during the development of
improvements by the students from a research point of view, selecting a quantitative assessment method which avoids subjective
assessments, and which is easy and quick to use by students.
Conclusion
Concerning the circular building systems/
all systems as such work, are easy to use and fast to assemble and disassemble small-scale incremental improvements on the individual system level are required.
fundamental improvements and research regarding following aspects (non-exhaustive) are believed to becrucial for a full and successful application of the idea of circular building:
circular connections between circular building systems and other building components (e.g.foundation, windows, roofs)
compatibility (e.g. dimensions, connections) with other circular building systems, watertight and vapor tight sealing of both surfaces and joints diversity of products within circular building systems (e.g. tailored lintels, corner solutions) broad building type (in view of needed performances) and project type application range (e.g.
renovation) prefabrication potential lowering the environmental impact (e.g. especially of connecting components) of existing circular
building systems, and more broadly development of new circular building systems based onrenewable and regenerative resources
Thank you.
dr. arch. Bart Janssensprof. dr. ir. Elke Knapen, arch. Peggy Winkels, prof. dr. ir. arch. Griet Verbeeck
Faculty of Architecture and Arts, Hasselt University, Belgium
